By Our Correspondent

National News – Nigeria has concluded plans to deploy 200 elite troops to Türkiye for specialised military training, as part of a strengthened defence partnership between the two countries.

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, disclosed this on Saturday during the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum held in Antalya, Türkiye.

According to Musa, the agreement was reached after high-level talks with his Turkish counterpart, Yaşar Güler.

He explained that the training programme will begin immediately, with Nigeria sending 200 Special Forces personnel to Türkiye.

The initiative aims to enhance Nigeria’s military capabilities, especially in tackling insurgency and asymmetric warfare.

The minister noted that the collaboration will go beyond training, covering joint military exercises, exchange of personnel, and defence technology transfer.

He added that both countries also agreed on co-producing military equipment, a move expected to strengthen Nigeria’s defence industry and reduce reliance on foreign imports.

Explaining the rationale behind the partnership, Musa said Türkiye’s extensive experience in combating terrorism over the past four decades offers valuable lessons for Nigeria, which has been battling insurgency for about 17 years.

He emphasised that knowledge sharing and joint operations will improve operational effectiveness and national security.

The agreement comes amid growing global security concerns and highlights Nigeria’s efforts to modernise its armed forces.

The Antalya forum, attended by leaders and policymakers from over 150 countries, provided a platform for discussions on defence, security, and international cooperation.

Musa reaffirmed that Nigeria and Türkiye share a long-standing relationship dating back to 1960, describing the partnership as strategic and beneficial.

He stressed that the collaboration will continue to evolve through sustained engagement, joint training, and defence innovation.